By Sharon Omahen

University of Georgia

Inspecting your landscape for termite-attracting features
could
reduce your chances of inviting the tiny destroyers into your
home and your wallet.

“Termites need moisture and food to survive,” said Brian
Forschler, an entomologist with the University of Georgia College
of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. “So homeowners need
to make a conscious effort to reduce conditions around their
homes that attract them.”

Search out moisture

To reduce moisture around your home, you have to know how to
detect the signs of moisture problems.

“If you see mushrooms cropping up alongside the foundation of
your home, you likely have a moisture problem in that area,”
Forschler said. “Or, if you have tiny trees growing in your
gutter, it’s time to clean them out.”

Another problem moisture site is your air-conditioner drip
line.
Forschler suggests making sure your gutters and A-C drip line
drain away from your house.

“Don’t aim sprinkler systems toward the house, either,” he
said.

Inspect your home, too, he said, to make sure no wood or foam
board insulation contacts the ground.

Shrubs and stumps

Although holly shrubs may win you ‘lawn of the month,’
Forschler
said, hollies planted along your house line can lead to termites
there.

“You plant a small holly bush, and in seven years it blocks
the
view of the foundation,” he said. “When termites tunnel through
the ground, they like to follow roots, and these can lead them
right into your home’s foundation.”

Rid your landscape of anything termites would consider food,
Forschler said. “If you have stumps in your lawn, get rid of
them,” he said. “Rent a stump grinder if you have to. The cost
will be worth it in the long run.”

Despite having studied termite biology and behavior for the
past
14 years, Forschler admits to leaving termite food in his lawn
once.

“I had a new roof put on my house, and the leftover shingles
were
sitting on a wooden pallet beside the driveway,” he said. “A few
months later, when I got around to removing the shingles, I
discovered termites living in the pallet.”

Call a professional

If, despite your efforts, you have a termite infestation,
seek a
licensed pest-control operator, Forschler said.

“First and foremost, try to choose a pest-control operator
whose
contract includes a damage-repair warranty,” he said. “In other
words, if termites damage the house after the treatment, the
pest-control operator will repair the damage at no cost. This is
your insurance that the pest-control operator is doing everything
he can to protect your home as if it were his home.”

Forschler says if a damage-repair warranty isn’t available,
make
a point to be present when the termite inspection takes place.
And take an active part in the process.

“I guarantee you that every home landscape in Georgia, from
the
mountains to the coast, has termites living in it,” he said.
“I’ve taken samples (from home lawns) all across the state, but
rarely do I find a structure infestation.”

Ridding the world of termites is “a pipe dream,” he said.

“We’re never going to kill them all,” he said. “We just have
to
focus on keeping them away from structures while keeping an eye
on yard termites.”